The Jets put a damper on Smashville's party with two soul-crushing first-period goals that silenced the outdoor crowd. After the second goal, the video board zoomed in on Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne as he headed for the bench just 10:07 into the game, replaced by Juuse Saros.

"At that point, Rinne had given up a lot of goals in this playoff series," Predators fan Frederick Hardin said after the game. "Rinne's a great player. He's a legend, but each one of our losses in this series were four- or five-goal losses."

Others hated the move.

“I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me, but (I) think we pulled Pekka Rinne way too early,“ said Predators fan Mo Ayrab, sporting a P.K. Subban jersey at the watch party. "He had a shutout in the last game. Honestly, I love our coach, but Pekka should've stayed in the game. It's Game 7."

The move initially looked like a good one. Saros entered the game and made some difficult saves to keep the Predators afloat, trailing 2-1 after the first period. But the Jets scored three unanswered goals in the final two periods, stunning the Predators to advance to the Western Conference finals.

The Predators thank the fans for their support after the team's 5-1 loss to the Jets in Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette speaks to the media after the team's 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

The Predators react to the team's 5-1 loss to the Jets in Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

The Predators react in the closing minutes of the team's 5-1 loss in Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (25) celebrates his goal in front of Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

The goal by Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) gets by Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) as left wing Filip Forsberg (9) watches during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Kyle Turris (8) has his shot blocked by Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the third period in Game 7 of the Second Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) pull sin the puck as Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and center Ryan Johansen (92) attack the goal during the third period in Game 7 of the Second Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22) and Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little (18) battle along the boards during the third period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) and \w38\ battle along the boards during the third period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) celebrates his goal with defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) and right wing Blake Wheeler (26) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) skates with the puck as Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) watches along the boards during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) tries for a steal on Winnipeg Jets defenseman Toby Enstrom (39) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) and Winnipeg Jets center Mathieu Perreault (85) battle along the boards during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) slides into Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) and Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22) and Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) watch the puck during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Mathieu Perreault (85) skates with the puck defended by Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell (17) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) moves the puck defended by Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

The goal by Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) gets by Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

The Jets celebrate the goal by Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) and Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) battle for the puck during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets right wing Joel Armia (40) skates with the puck defended by Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) and Winnipeg Jets right wing Joel Armia (40) battle for the puck during the second period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates toward a teammate after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) celebrates his goal and left wing Filip Forsberg (9) his assist during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) celebrates his goal with left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and center Ryan Johansen (92) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) and left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrate the goal by defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) loses his balance in front of the team's goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) plays the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) gets pulled after the Jets' second goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (25) celebrates his goal with left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (25) celebrates his goal with left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) and defenseman Ben Chiarot (7) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) stops a puck during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons (10) is stopped by Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the first period in Game 7 of the Second Round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville fans cheer for the team during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) and Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) go after the puck during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) watch the puck during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) and defenseman P.K. Subban (76) defend the net against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period of Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) looks back at a goal scored by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) during the first period of Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) hits the ice in front of Nashville Predators center Calle Jarnkrok (19) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) battles for the puck with Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little (18) and left wing Brandon Tanev (13) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (25) celebrates his goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) looks back at a goal scored by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers (57) during the first period of Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators center Colton Sissons (10) skates with the puck in front of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) watches the puck next to the goal during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) skates with the puck as Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) goes flying during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) watches the puck as Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) and left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) react during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Nashville Predators right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Ben Chiarot (7) battle along the boards during the first period of Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

A member of the Predators Energy team scoops up a catfish before Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Former Titans star Eddie George and singer Sheryl Crow wave towels before Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Predators fans taunt the Jets during warmups before Game 7 of the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Brendan McCoy, of Philadelphia, Pa., takes a swing on the smash plane before Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

John Richardson, of Winnipeg, Canada, works on buffing out damage on the smash plane before Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

The Winnipeg Jets logo is barely visible on the smash plane before Game 7 in the second round NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena, Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

While many left the viewing party before the final seconds ticked off the clock, a good portion of the outdoor crowd stayed to applaud their team for an entertaining season.

With the Predators' surprise run a year ago and the team's success during the regular season, expectations for the team were higher than ever. Now that they've failed to make it past the second round, fans were left wondering how they should view this season.

The overall response? Disappointed, but thankful for the strong season.

"Last year, we didn't see that season coming," Ayrab said. "I feel like Winnipeg is playing like the Predators did last year, and our fans might've gotten a little spoiled. But I'm proud of our Preds. I'm proud of how hard they played. But I never want them to win the Presidents' Cup again."

CLOSE

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi said that home ice advantage didn't hold because the Predators just didn't execute as well as the Jets.
Autumn Allison, USA TODAY NETWORK- Tennessee

Hardin, one of the last fans to leave the viewing party, took a big-picture approach to the season.

“The only way to lose a playoff game is to make a playoff game," he said, taking the loss in stride. "I can't complain, man. I've had a blast this season. It sucks, but at the end of the day, you win some, you lose some. We'll be back next season."